Non-Resident Workers Think City Tax Increase Unfair
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Columbus Tax Increase
A majority of local income taxes are paid for by employees who don't live in Columbus, though.COLUMBUS, Ohio—City of Columbus voters will decide in August whether to approve a 0.5 percent hike on the existing 2 percent income tax.
It would be the city’s first tax increase in 27 years.
A majority of local income taxes are paid for by employees who don’t live in Columbus, though.
NBC 4’s Ana Jackson GOT ANOTHER VIEW on the issue.
Molly Stone works in Columbus but lives outside the city limits in West Jefferson.
She won’t have a vote on the proposed income-tax increase.
“I think folks could really take a look at their spending habits. It bothers me that now I’m going to have to pay more taxes to Columbus when I pay taxes here in West Jeff,“ she said.
West Jefferson residents have to pay a 1 percent income tax to the village in addition to the Columbus income tax.
Peggy Greenwood lives in West Jefferspm and has worked in Columbus for the past 20 years.
She said she thinks an increase would be unfair.
“I don’t think I should have to pay 2 percent in there. I don’t even live in Columbus, but I do live here, and I should help out my community by paying 1 percent,“ Greenwood said.
“We know it’s tough, but the consequences of not achieving the tax will be devastating for our community,“ Mayor Michael Coleman said Monday.
Services such as police, fire and trash collection are on the line—services from which Coleman said the 53 percent of out-of-towners who pay city income taxes benefit.
“I’m at work eight hours a day. Maybe in one way I do benefit from it because I am working there, but I don’t benefit from it here where I live,“ Greenwood said.
The .05 percent increase would equal to $50 dollars more for every $10,000 earned.
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Reader Reactions
Look, we live in Columbus and my wife works in Arlington…she pays Arlington taxes every year and don’t live there. The bottom line is, nothing is free, and it’s only $50 per 10,000 of income…quit whining, the suburbs do the same thing.
Boozer: You must be a ‘boozer’ because you’re talking smack. The people that work in Columbus but live outside, do not hate Columbus…..the problem is we already pay income tax where we live, then we pay income tax where we work. In due repect, I shouldn’t have to pay for all the extras you receive. I own a home and pay all kind of taxes. I pay for trash, water, sewer, school (my children are grown but still pay) and income tax. Please, don’t talk on this blog if you have nothing smart to say. We all want the best for everyone and we all want $$ in our pockets. The city needs to stop asking for money they truly don’t need. Mayor Coleman and his cronies are all crooks, but I’m sure you and others voted him in - once again! Too many people are struggling and I don’t think the 2.5% tax will pass. Of course, I can’t vote which is taxation without representation - NULL AND VOID!
@kan:
I’m in Columbus 24 hours per week. Yes, I might run into an unfortunate situation and need the police or fire. However, this risk is proportionately less for me because I’m not here anywhere near full time.
So you’re saying that someone who is in Columbus 24 hours per week should pay the same taxes as one who is in Columbus 168 hours per week, and gets free trash service and discounted water and sewer? I am helping pay for those services that I do not receive.
Wow boozer you must be EXHAUSTED after that magnificent revelation! Bet you’re sitting there all proud and smug. Ah to aspire to have your wisdom…. Go rest young man…go rest.
If you guys hate Columbus so much, don’t work here. Problem solved.
I don’t think the city of columbus has any business putting red white and boom on or any other festivities. If we don’t have money to pay people we certaintly don’t have the money for that.
drumlovr - betcha you don’t pay for your trash services do you? Well…I do - for mine AND for yours. So Mr/Ms “wahhhhhhhh” - realize there ARE valid points being made from BOTH sides.
People amaze me. They don’t benefit? Their income comes from a business based in Columbus which allows them to live elsewhere. So they have to give something back, so what. If their car gets broken in to while they sit in their columbus office will west jeff police respond? No. A little common sense is required in a situation that none of us is particularly enjoying. I think it past time to level some real penalties at the crooks that have put our entire country into this position and not nit pick over something that is completely logical under our current circumstances.
This must be stopped , can anyone tell me how many times our doller is taxed?Coleman stop some of your personal programs and put the money where it is really needed.
Hey, if you work here you are putting wear and tear on OUR streets so deal with it. As a City employee who has not gotten a raise in 3 years, to hear all your sniveling about YOUR expenses I say “wahhhhhhhh”. I pay dearly for water and sewer and yet streets around me flood in rains. You all are dead right about getting the Mayor in check with his wastes of money-don’t pick on those of us who are doing a ton of extra work (no overtime budget allowed) because of staff shortages. I’ll drive him around for the kind of money his team makes. The City is top heavy moneywise and they need to get rid of all his must hires and get somebody in City Council to rein him in. They are in cahoots with the Mayor and the City is pretty well doomed. Like I have heard from others, I have lost pride in Columbus and am embarassed to watch the news.
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